Category Archives: Cait Collins

Figment

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Outtakes 60

Figment

One of my favorite jobs was my five year stint with the Disney Store in Amarillo, Texas. I hired on as one of the original cast members in 1995. Disney training and environment is top notch. Cast members are given every tool to provide the guests with the ultimate shopping experience. Rewards and recognition is a staple. I own a number of awards and prizes for guest service and sales.

With all the training efforts, I was surprised when a guest asked if we carried Figment. She saw them when she visited EPCOT Center, but ran out of time and didn’t have a chance to go back and buy one. I hated telling her we did not carry EPCOT characters. I did give her the website and phone number so she could order Figment. As she prepared to leave, I asked, “Who or what is Figment?” She smiled, “Haven’t you ever heard of a Figment of your imagination?”

Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary defines Figment as something made, fabricated or contrived. With all due respect to Mr. Webster, I prefer to think of a Figment as something that sparks the imagination. What does Figment look like? Is it cloth, stone, or metal? Short or tall? Does Figment have eyes, ears, a nose, and a mouth? The truth is Figments come in all shapes and sizes. It’s the drop of dew on a rose petal. Or snow blanketing the trees and the lawn. Or it’s a baby’s smile when he hears mama’s voice.

Look around your home or office and you will be surprised at all the Figments living there. For me, it my Charlie Brown doll, my Captain Hook watch autographed by the character’s animators. What about my pewter frog wearing a prince’s crown that reminds me you sometimes have to kiss a few frogs before finding the prince. My jewelry box is full of Figments from the jewelry I inherited from my mother, gifts from friends and family to my Celtic cross made from silver recovered from the Atocha. Even my stuffed Puff the Magic Dragon evokes thoughts of being the eternal child.

As you find Figments, consider how they will work into your writing.  Puff could be the guy that refuses to grow up. Instead he forever plays childish games. The silver rattle given to your baby could be the identifying factor for a character in a mystery novel. My white, dew-kissed rose is a gift from a groom to his bride symbolizing true love. And it works all because they are Figments of our imaginations.

Cait Collins

Caution

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Outtakes 59

Caution

Does the indemnity clause, “The characters in this book are fictitous. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.” really protect a writer from libel suits. The short answer is maybe. It really depends on the circumstances and how the author handles the writing.

I am not an attorney and I cannot offer any legal advice, but there are some scenarios that suggest an author proceed with caution.

1.  You answer the phone. “Hi. I’m Joe Smith. My friend Kathy Jones told me you are a writer and I have a story that should be told. Thing is, I have no idea how to write the book. Can you help me?”

“Tell me about the story.”

“Well, it goes back about three generations. Seems my great-grandmother met this farmer. They wanted to get married. He was a good man, but her daddy didn’t approve of his children marrying beneath their stations. He told her if she married the man, he’d cut her out of his will. The farmer wanted to give Granny time to think about the consequences of marrying, so he suggested they wait until after the harvest for the wedding. Granny’s cousin wrote saying Gramps changed his mind and the marriage was a go. They got married, Granny was disinherited and the cousin got all the money. It broke up the family. We haven’t spoken to the cousin’s family in years.”

“Okay, do you have any papers, letters, or journals to prove the story?”

“No. This is my Granny’s story. She told my grandmother, who passed the story to my mother.”

2.  A big scandal is reported in the local newspaper. Councilman A embezzled a couple of million from the city’s economic development budget. Great plot for a fictionalized account of the events.

3.  A historical event catches the author’s interest. However, it is recent news and key figures and their families are still living.

I wouldn’t touch the ghost writing request for a million bucks. Unsubstantiated stories are an invitation to a law suit. Without documentation to prove the events, an author would be unwise to write this book.

I listened to a writer speak about the scandal story. Of course the names would be changed, the location disguised, and some changes would be made to the actual events. But anyone who was around at the time would recognize the story. There was a gleeful gleam in the author’s eyes as the details were revealed. The conference speaker was not amused. “Be careful,” he warned, “you could be sued. You might win, but your reputation will be damaged, and you might have problems getting an agent or publisher. Let’s face it,” he continued, “your agent and publisher will not appreciate being drawn into a legal battle.”

The third situation is a non-fiction publication that hits the book shelves every week with great success. The caution here is verifying the facts. Research. Research. Research. Adhere to the oath a witness takes to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. In other words, present the facts; all of the fact; and leave out the spin.

While a writer should feel free to write his story, he should also exercise common sense in selecting assignments. The writing community is not that large. News travels and people will remember. Don’t risk your reputation and financial security for a burst of fame.

Cait Collins

You Might Wind Up In My Novel

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Outtakes 58 Release

You Might Wind Up In My Novel

“Good morning.  I have just written you into my novel. Your character will die a horrible death.  Have a nice day.” My number six sister has a great sense of humor. Every year, she searches a website that carries unusual tee-shirts, looking for the perfect shirts for her sons, her husband, and others on her Christmas list. Sister number three gave me a similar shirt that stated, “Be careful or you might wind up in my novel.” One might ask if my characters are created from people I know. The short answer is “yes”.

As a beginning author, I was concerned that friends and family might assume I based characters on them. I feared they would be hurt if they thought an evil or less than admirable character was written about them. I was in line to have Michael Cunningham, Pulitzer Prize winning author of THE HOURS sign my book. He heard the discussion a couple of us were having regarding this fear. Cunningham told me there would always be people who saw themselves as characters in a novel. The author must let go of the fear and write the story. His advice freed me to develop my characters. I am grateful for his insight and encouragement.

In a recent presentation in Amarillo, Texas, LONGMIRE author Craig Johnson, made reference to the indemnity clause in every book:   “the persons in this book are a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.”  “It’s a lie,” he stated. “Some of my characters are based on people I know well.” Yes, I use traits from people I know, from folks I work with, from people I observe to populate my stories. Mr. Throckmorton, the minister in HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW, possesses the love, concern and kindness of preachers I know and admire. I have watched women like Kate Walker go through hell and still retain their dignity and remain good, noble women.

Some traits are derived from people watching. I love the adoring expression on a father’s face when a tiny hand pats his chin. Dad’s eyes light up and he brings those little fingers to his lips for a kiss. How about the child who hears music and without inhibition, dances to the beat? Then there’s the girl who meets up with a boy from her class. She twists a lock of hair around her finger as they talk. Is she shy, or nervous, or frightened?

I have written some of my best scenes in an effort to keep out of HR. Let’s face it some co-workers can be quite annoying. The temptation to mouth off must be stifled as I don’t want to be accused of creating a hostile work environment. In order to remain out of trouble, I pull out my Netbook and write a scene that releases my frustration. The final confrontation between Kate Walker and Mary Cooper was written as I was biting my tongue. Not only do I remain in good standing with my boss, I have a scene to incorporate into a current or future story.

Memorable characters make the story. You can have an intriguing plot, fabulous description, and an unusual setting, but if the characters lack the pizzazz of the author’s people watching skills and wealth of friends, family, co-works, and acquaintances, the story falls flat. No reader likes cardboard characters.

Cait Collins

 

 

Longmire

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Outtakes 57

Longmire

It’s that time of year when there’s little new on television. Reruns, reality shows, and repeats of repeats of the same old movies fill the schedules. When I saw the promotions for Longmire on A&E, I thought it sounded interesting. At the very least, it would be new. I caught the last couple of episodes and was intrigued with the characters and setting. There was a beautiful starkness to the cinematography and an intriguing perfection in the characters and dialogue. I hoped the series would be picked up for a second season.

I was surprised to learn the author of the Walt Longmire mysteries, Craig Johnson, would be speaking in Amarillo as part of the Amarillo Public Library’s summer Amarillo Reads program. Since I was impressed with the series, I looked forward to hearing from the author. As I took notes from Craig’s presentation, I started thinking, “If the guy writes the way he speaks, his books will be great.” I have just finished the first book, THE COLD DISH, and can state I am not disappointed.  Craig Johnson is a master story teller. His novel combines the best of distinct, interesting characters; spot-on dialogue minus tag lines; Indian lore; the harsh beauty of Wyoming and Montana; and a big anti-hero. I am hooked. Thank goodness there are seven more Walt Longmire mysteries to read.

I’m a speed reader. I can read a four-hundred page novel in a matter of hours if there are no interruptions. However, I found my reading slowed because I was savoring the description. Johnson has found the perfect balance between too much and not enough description. I hiked the trails around the lakes and through the mountains with Sheriff Walt Longmire as he and Henry Standing Bear searched for a witness. I felt the bone-chilling, mind-numbing cold as he carried an injured man to safety. I felt his pain and uncertainty as the decision was made to leave his badly wounded friend on the mountain during a blizzard. I hurt at the unexpected end.

After finishing THE COLD DISH, I realized the author had skillfully woven three of the great story themes, man against man, man against nature, and man against himself, without confusing or blurring the plot’s twist and turns. Normally, I detect the perp by the middle of the book. This plot was so well hatched, I never suspected the killer’s identity. I consider that the essence of great writing. I look forward to reading the next book DEATH WITHOUT COMPANY. I can’t wait for season two of the A&E series Longmire.  In the words of Lonnie Little Bird, “Yes, it is so.”

Cait Collins

Tourist Tracks

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Outtakes 56

Tourist Tracks

 

We had a new family visit our congregation recently. I was talking with the wife regarding the area, and she asked about the town and things they should know. I told her I worked near the tourist bureau and would pick up the information she needed. I had not been to the Texas Tourist Bureau since they moved into their new facility. I could not believe the information available for Texas travelers. The racks were divided into the seven geographical areas of Texas: Panhandle Plains, Big Bend Country, Hill Country, South Texas Plains, Gulf Coast, Piney Woods, and Prairies and Lakes. No matter where he plans to travel, the visitor can easily find pamphlets on places of interest.

The travel assistant prepared a packet for the new comers and then handed a booklet to me. “You’ll need one of these for yourself,” she stated. I checked the title; Texas Events Calendar Fall 2012. Doesn’t sound like much, but I now have a list of events across the state that might be helpful for researching story locations and historic sites. I know which events are day trips and which will require longer stays. I’ve started marking my calendar with events that interest me as a writer and ones that just sound fun.

I never considered the Tourist Bureau as a source for research, but now I must reconsider the value of these facilities. Getting to know the state’s geography, geology, archeology, and history will add color to my writing.  Contact information provided in the guides might lead to experts in specialized fields who will have answers to my questions.

While state tourist bureaus do not have locations in every city, local Chambers of Commerce will have information on the area. Every state has a Convention and Visitors Bureau that will be able to send information on state events and historic locales. Email them and they will forward brochures and guides to you. In this day of on-line access to information, obtaining brochures and events calendars from state and local agencies may seem unnecessary, but the information might be the very thing a writer needs to add sparkle to his writing.

Cait Collins

Say What?

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Outtakes 55 
Say What?

I’m an Air Force brat. My father served 26 years in the Army Air Corps and the Air Force. We did some traveling; mostly south to north and back again. Dad was assigned to a three-year stint in St. John’s, Newfoundland, an island province of Canada, but that’s a separate story. You see the military views things a little differently than civilians. Someone might ask about your hometown, but the service views you as Air Force regardless of age, sex, or state of origin. Imagine how difficult is for Southern-Air Force to be stationed in Northern Air Force.

As Southern Air Force (Texas-born, Louisiana cultured), I was raised to say ‘Ya’ll come’, ‘Thank you kindly, sir.’ ‘ Mom’s cooking up a mess of turnip greens and ham,’ ‘the skillet’s hot and ready to fry up some chicken’, or ‘I sure do love corn bread and sweet milk’. Unfortunately, the good citizens of Bangor, Maine, considered my terminology quite colorful. Of course, I had the same issues with Maine-speak, especially if the speaker was from down-east Maine. My teacher told me I needed red shots for gym. Cas were paked in the paking lot. Shooting stas could be seen in winter. We went to Ba Haba on Saturday. Quick translation: Red shots are red shorts. Cars were parked in the parking lot. Shooting stars can be seen in winter. And we went to Bar Harbor on Saturday. No wonder I nearly failed spelling! It seems strange that a country whose primary language is English is full of dialects and colloquialisms. Then again, the regional differences in our language are a gold mine for writers.

Can you imagine Scarlet O’Hara without her sweet southern belle smile and “Oh, Rhett, I do love you.”  Or “I want everyone to be pea green with envy.” I also enjoyed the Closer’s Brenda Lee Johnson’s syrup-sweet “I’m doing just fine, thank you, but you on the other hand are under arrest.” What about President Kennedy’s cultured Boston accent? Californians have their special vocabulary. Sarah Palin speaks with a wonderful homey twang. Sprinkling these regional dialects and phrases in our stories adds color and enhances the setting. It brings realism to the work.  Just don’t over-do it. There is a balance that should be maintained.

I say all this as I work on my contemporary cowboy story.  In Texas, a filly could be a young female horse or a young lady. Is wushin’ my dirty clothes appropriate? I know we must greeze the axle on the hay-hauler. But if I order a soda, will I get a Dr. Pepper or a Big Red? Will the sky fall if I plan a bar-b-q on Friday night during high school football season? Such an action is sacrilegious and a hanging offense if a town’s team is in the state play-offs. Is referring to the protagonist’s girlfriend as ‘ugly as a mud fence’ too much an insult? When in doubt, I’ll consult Lou Hudson’s SPEAK TEXAN IN 30 MINUTES OR LES. I just have to be sure my good friends up North know that Texans no longer tie their horses to the hitchin’ post in front of the livery stable. We now drive trucks and park them in the parking lot.

Cait Collins

It’s a Real Job

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Outtakes 54

It’s a Real Job

“I always thought about writing a novel. I think I could do it.” I hear that statement 99% of the time when folks find out that I’m a writer. I’m sure most authors have heard similar responses. If people really understood what it takes to write that novel, they might reconsider their responses. Do these well intentioned folks really think writing is easy?

What does it take to be a writer? Some would say talent is the key component. Of course there is a certain degree of talent involved. However, there are thousands of folks who have the ability to write, but never start. I have a nephew who has talent, but he doesn’t write. Why not? Because he prefers music to the written word. He devotes his energy to perfecting his skills on the various instruments he plays. Simply put, talent comes into play when the writer has the desire to write.

The desire to put words on paper propels a talented person to begin the journey. He buys the right books, studies the craft, experiments with a few ideas. He might join a critique group and a writers’ group. As he presents his work to his peers, he receives kind but honest feedback on his writing. He rewrites, but his critique group still is not satisfied with his efforts. Frustrated, he packs the first novel in a box and shoves it under the bed. The book is never completed.

A successful writer combines his talent and desire with bulldog tenacity. No one is going to convince him it can’t be done. He plans his writing time; places his backside in the chair and writes. He listens to other writers’ critiques and does the necessary rewrites to produce a better product. The writer risks rejection when he submits the finished novel to agents and editors. A writer doesn’t expect overnight success or instant wealth. Instead he will take the free short story publication to enhance his writer’s resume. He will volunteer to help at a conference or present a program to students. He keeps up with current trends in publishing. Deep in his soul, he believes he will be a successful writer and he works for it.

Writing is a real job.  It requires talent, desire, effort, a thick skin, risk, confidence, and tenacity.  No one component is enough. Even Snoopy concedes “Good writing is hard work.”

Cait Collins

When the Muse Strikes

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Outtakes 53

When the Muse Strikes

Don’t you just love those days when you power up the computer, open your current document, and start typing? They are few and far between, but when they come along, the pages fill as if by magic. There have been days I started work at eight in the morning and looked up ten hours later with more than one completed chapter. There are rules for such days. At least these are my rules.

  1. Send an email to family and friends to let them you are in the zone, and please do not call unless it’s an emergency. Those that love you will respect your need to work.
  2. Do not answer the door or the phone. It does no good to ask for writing time and then give in to a ringing phone. Turn down the ringer volume, and work.
  3. Do not read email, Facebook, Twitter, blogs (unless it’s mine), or play games. Once you start one of these activities, it’s hard to get back to your writing.
  4. Do not research. If you come to a point where you need additional facts, mark the spot with a brief note as to what is needed, highlight it and go on. Research may kill the Muse, so hold off on the mundane.
  5. Stop only when you need a quick break to run to the bathroom, grab a cup of coffee, and get a snack. Keep the break short so that you don’t get distracted by the laundry that needs to be done, or the living room that needs dusting. This is one time when you are allowed to procrastinate.
  6. Turn off your internal editor. Forget about the red and green squiggly lines on the page. You can edit tomorrow. Keep the writing flow going until the inspiration runs out. Believe me, the Muse will depart, but what a day you’ve had.
  7. When you have exhausted the Muse, be sure you save and back up your work. I often neglect the last step, but one computer crash will convince you the necessity of the back-up. Save the pages on a flash drive, on Carbonite, or on an external hard drive. I also print a copy of the new pages. If the house floods and all the electronics are in the water’s path, a print out stored in a water-tight box on high closet shelf will preserve your efforts.

Enjoy those rare days when everything just seems to work. The visits from the Muse or infusions of inspiration make up for the days you struggle.

Cait Collins

Thank You

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Outtakes 52

Thank You

I cannot believe this is my 52nd post. We started WordsmithSix a year ago on August 1. I wondered if we would remain committed to this blog. We are all so busy. We have full time jobs, family commitments, personal lives, and writing projects. I feared we would, at some point, allow life to interfere with our blog posts. But here we are 52 weeks later, still working hard and still writing our blogs.

My greatest concern was I would have nothing to say that would be worth reading. Yet you proved me wrong. I so appreciate your comments, votes, and likes. It’s good to know that others have shared my experiences and wanted me to know they appreciated reminders of days gone by. Your posts have encouraged me to reach higher; do better. Thank you for visiting our site. Thank you for reading our posts. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Your comments mean more to me than you will ever know.

As I look back, I realize I wrote and posted a complete piece every week. That’s 52 publications over the last year. By committing to WordsmithSix, I set aside time every week to work on my blog. I did my best on all of the posts, but not all of them were winners. Even so, you kept reading. Your support made me determined to do better. I hope to do even better in the future.

So where do I go in the second year? Good question. I said in the beginning my thoughts are simple. I love writing. I love the challenge of creating characters, scenes, and dialogue.  There’s more to say along those lines. What about the books I read, the authors I respect and follow? What have I learned from fellow writers? Yes, there is much more to say.

This is my last blog for our first year. I look forward to the next year and the continuing challenge of writing my weekly blog. Thanks Craig, Natalie, Nancy, Sharon, and Joe for your support and encouragement. You all are the best friends and critics a writer could hope to have.

Cait Collins

Risk It

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Outtakes 51

Risk It

Sometimes I think I’m pretty complacent regarding my writing. I write women’s fiction. My characters are strong women facing new challenges in their lives. They must confront their problems in order to grow in to even stronger women. They encounter good men who help them in their journeys, but the men do not overwhelm the heroines. I believe my stories are exciting and full of emotion and conflict. But can I do more? Am I destined to write only women’s fiction?  I hope not. I know I am capable of producing much more; therefore I’m writing a contemporary cowboy short story.

Big deal, you say? It is a big deal. I am a city girl. I like windjamming, books, puzzles, restaurants, plays, and movies. I’m not thrilled with the lone prairie, snakes, rodents, and extreme heat. What do I know about cattle, ranching, or the day-to-day operations of a big spread? I know absolutely nothing about all that. But I do know about the cowboy mystique, the allure of the old west, and I have contacts. It all boils down to needing to challenge myself.

It is much easier to write what I know, but at some point I’m concerned my work will get stale, routine, and boring.  By taking on this challenge, I will force myself to research the wildfires that devastated the Texas Panhandle in 2006, and build a story around the survival of ranchers in the face of overwhelming odds. I will learn the lingo and dialect associate with ranching. I will build my characters around the cowboy heritage. The story will be written. My critique partners will guide me in making the work the best it can be. I will submit the story.

What if it is not accepted? I will be disappointed, but I will learn from the experience. Am I struggling with writing Wild Fire? Yes, but isn’t that the point? Why shouldn’t I experiment with new genres? How will I, or for that matter, how will any writer know how far we can go unless we try? Truth is we only fail when we fail to stretch our talents. I’m enjoying this experience and the opportunity move beyond the comfortable. Who knows, I might try a children’s story next.

Cait Collins